William J. Pulte
William J Pulte | |
|---|---|
| Born | William John Pulte May 16, 1932 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | March 7, 2018 Naples, Florida, U.S. |
| Known for | Founder of PulteGroup |
| Height | 5'8 |
| Spouse |
Karen Koppal (m. 1993) |
| Children | 14 |
William John Pulte was the founder and chairman of PulteGroup, one of the largest home construction and real estate development companies in the United States.
Biography
[edit]Early life and education
[edit]William J. Pulte attended De La Salle Collegiate School in Detroit. He was a three sport varsity athlete in football, track and basketball.[1]
Career
[edit]In 1950, just after graduating high school, William J. Pulte and 5 friends built a 5-room bungalow near Detroit City Airport, which they sold for $10,000.[2]
In 1956, he founded William J. Pulte Inc.[3] In 1959, he built his first subdivision.[2][3]
In 2016, after Richard Dugas Jr., the former chief executive officer of the company, moved the headquarters of the company from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to Atlanta and initiated a change in direction for the company, William J. Pulte, who owned 9% of the company at the time, pressured Dugas to resign. Dugas resigned, and the stock price fell 6.57%.[4]
Death
[edit]William J. Pulte had 14 children (and was predeceased by one). He divorced his first wife, and married Karen Koppal in 1993.[citation needed] William J. Pulte died at his home in Naples, Florida, on March 7, 2018, at the age of 85.[5][3][2]
References
[edit]- ^ Schuler, Joe (2006). Building a Legacy (The William J. Pulte Story). SangFroid Press. ISBN 978-0917939129.
- ^ a b c PINHO, KIRK (March 7, 2018). "PulteGroup founder William Pulte dies at age 85". Crain Communications.
- ^ PINHO, KIRK (April 4, 2016). "PulteGroup chairman, CEO Dugas to retire under pressure". Crain Communications.
- ^ Kirkham, Chris (March 7, 2018). "William J. Pulte, Who Made Home-Building a Big Business, Dies at 85". The Wall Street Journal.